Gideon morgan



Patented Jufie 11, 185 0 G. MORGAN.

Traction-Wheel.

a car all of which parts, being of ordinary marten sra'rns PATENT OFFICE. I

GIDEON MORGAN, or CALHOUN, TENNESSEE,

CAR FOR PLANK ROADS, WOODEN RAILS, 8w.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,427, dated June 11, 1850.

'ing had tov the accompanying drawing, in

which i I Figure 1, is a side elevation; Fig. 2, is a top plan, Fig. 3, modification.

My invention consists in the mode of employing endless chains around proper guides for supporting and carrying a car or locomotive, and in the manner of keeping the chains tight; by which I obtain greater adhesion to the track, and a greater facility of draft on the car.

The construction is as follows: I form an oblong frame (a) proper for sustaining the boiler and machinery of a locomotive or of construction, Ihave not shown; this frame is below the axles, and is suspended by proper boxes, to the axles of the four wheels (3),) which are of large diameter. The axles of each pair of these wheels are olivlded in the center, as shown in Fig.2, by dotted lines. They are there inclosed in a tube (0,)

that keeps them in line; a hole is drilledv into the ends of the short axles, nexteach other, at the center, into which a pm (d,)

fits, to aid in keeping the parts in place; .on

the periphery of these wheels (6,) there is a groove, in which, on each side, endless chains ((2,) are guided, that passover both,

wheels of-one side, as clearly shown in Fig. l. The chain is formed of flat links, united by pins running through them, the links overlapping each other so as topresent a nearly even surface of three or more plates in breadth, like the chain of a watch. This chain, asthe wheels revolve, comes in contact with the road, and adds to the adhesion of the parts.

In addition to the mode of conducting the chain, shown in the drawing, I sometimes intend to place a small wheel (00) and pulley (y) see Fig. 3, in advance of the forward wheel, over which the chain passes, so as to be laid infront of the advancing wheel on strike them. By thus carrying out the chain in advance of the drivers, a steadier motion is obtained and a better action insured.

Qne pair of the carrying wheels (6,) are supported on bearings connected with the frame by joints at-(f); to each of these jointed pedestals (f,) a lever (9,) is affixed, to the end of which a weight is hung; by this means the chain is kept tight, when the locomotive is turning curves, or otherwise.

The driving power is applied in the ordinary way to the wheels, and needs no particular description.

To adapt this to cars for burden there may be a modification of the parts and instead of the end wheels I can employ two oblong frames (h,) with semicircular or curved ends, which can be moved to keep the chains straight in the same way. as the wheels around which there is a rail for an endless chain of pulleys to run. This latter consists of a double chain of flat links (i,) connected by the axes of a set of pulleys (2",) which form the joints; the links holding the pulleys in place, and serving to guide them around the rail; the pulleys have fianches on their inner side, like the flanches of car wheels. Out-sideof this chain of pulleys I pass a chain (is,) and on this chain, (which is laid on the track, as described above) the pulleys travel. At either end of the frames I place horizontal pulleys or friction guide wheels (1%,) which guide and direct the train around curves, by pressing against the side of the rail, as clearly illustrated by the drawing. A small guide pulley (41,) may also be applied to the chain (10,), at each end, near the track, if necesa do I claim laying downsupports for said wheels, these having before been done; but

What I do claim as my improvement,

1. Is the combination of a chain of rollers with broad bearing surfaces running around a stationary rail or track on the carriage with an independentchain, which forms a track for said rollers to travel over when tWo succeeding links, and break joint with resting on the ground, and whlch passes each other, as clearly represented in Fig. 2. around outslde of sand chaln of rollers.

2. I also claim the mode of constructing GIDEON MORGAN 5 Said track-chain (70,) by lapping the links Witnesses:

thereof, so that the rollers shall have a eon- J. J. GREENOUGH, stant bearing on the three plates Which form WM. GREENOUGH. 

